that's what happened to hundreds of veterans; including bret casey. he joins us now. set the scene for us here. how did this letter come to your attention? >> thanks, john. i got a phone call from my mother last wednesday afternoon. and she -- she said she needed to read a letter to me. and she and my father had already read the letter. she stated the letter is from the veterans affairs and states that you've been diagnosed with lou gehrig's disease. >> put up the text of that letter. quote, according to records of the department of veterans affairs, you have a diagnosis. it's a disease that ice invariably fatal. it robs you of your life. you become bound in a wheelchair, you can't swallow, you die a long and lingering death. what was your reaction when your parents read you that letter? >> i was horrified to say the least. i was actually driving when my mother read the letter to me. so i immediately pulled off the road and several minutes before i could pull myself back together. i asked her to read the letter to me a second time and a third. just horrified. >> did y